Crescendo Millenium Edition

remake of a famous amplifier

In early 1984, Elektor magazine beat the competition hands-down by publishing the design of a then-revolutionary MOSFET amplifier. Even now, this amplifier enjoys an enthusiastic following. In response to many requests, we have brought the design up to date and given some attention to improved reliability and operating safety. The output power is 90 watts into 8 ohms or 135 watts into 4 ohms, which should leave little to be desired for most users.There are surely not very many circuit designs that continue to enjoy such a high level of interest more than ten years after their original appearance, as does the Crescendo power amplifier from 1984. In part, this is due to its completely symmetrical design, which was in fact an unusual feature at that time, but unquestionably it is mainly due to the use of power MOSFETs in the output stage. A lot of people happen to be fervent fans of these devices. Even people who swear by valve amplifiers and are allergic to anything with ‘semiconductor’ in its name often have a weakness for MOSFETs, and are thus prepared to make an exception for them. Sadly enough, most of the problems with the amplifier in question had to do with the MOSFETs.

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